Stephen King Issues Apology After Controversial Charlie Kirk Tweet
The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University thrust the nation into mourning and debate, with tributes pouring in from figures like President Donald Trump, who called Kirk “the Great, and even Legendary.” Yet, amid the grief, horror author Stephen King sparked a firestorm with a now-deleted X post that falsely accused the late Turning Point USA founder of extreme views on LGBTQ+ rights. King’s swift, multi-post apology on September 12 highlighted the perils of unverified social media claims.
Stephen King’s Controversial Post About Charlie Kirk Sparked Outrage
The controversy ignited when Fox News host Jesse Watters posted on X: “Charlie Kirk was not a ‘controversial’ or ‘polarizing’ man. Charlie was a PATRIOT.” King replied sharply: “He advocated stoning gays to death. Just sayin’.” The remark, which King later admitted stemmed from a misread social media clip, exploded online.
King’s claim referenced a 2019 video where Kirk discussed biblical passages from Leviticus during a debate with children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel, stating: “In a lesser referenced part in the same part of scripture, in Leviticus 18, is that ‘thou shall lay with another man shall be stoned to death.’ Just saying.” Kirk was illustrating perceived inconsistencies in selective Bible interpretation, not endorsing violence, a nuance King’s X post ignored.
Outraged Reactions To Stephen King’s Claim Were Swift
Backlash was immediate and fierce. Texas Senator Ted Cruz lambasted King as a “horrible, evil, twisted liar,” tweeting: “No, he did not.” The senator’s post went on to ask, “Why are you so dishonest & filled with hate?” Utah Senator Mike Lee amplified calls for legal recourse, urging, “Please share if you agree that the estate of Charlie Kirk should sue Stephen King for defamation over this heinously false accusation. He’s crossed a line. It will prove costly.”
Conservative commentator Guy Benson responded pointedly to King’s retraction: “I strongly suspect Charlie would have accepted this apology and invited you to come talk with him. I hope you think about that.” Elon Musk offered a curt one-word reply to King’s initial post: “Liar.” MAGA influencers and Kirk‘s supporters decried the smear as “monstrous” and defamatory, especially poignant given Kirk’s actual outreach to the gay community, including statements welcoming LGBTQ+ conservatives.
Stephen King Deletes His Controversial Post And Apologizes
On September 12, King posted: “I apologize for saying Charlie Kirk advocated stoning gays. What he actually demonstrated was how some people cherry-pick Biblical passages.” King followed with another post: “I have apologized. Charlie Kirk never advocated stoning gays to death.” In a third post, he reflected: “This is what I get for reading something on Twitter w/o fact-checking. Won’t happen again.” King deleted the original tweet, admitting: “I was wrong, and I apologize.”
King’s apology did little to quiet demands for a defamation suit from Kirk’s estate, with outlets like Breitbart labeling them “too little, too late.” Supporters argued the falsehood tarnished Kirk’s memory at a vulnerable time, as his family grieved amid national vigils. King’s defenders, including some liberal voices, praised the quick correction as a model of accountability in the Twitter age. However, others saw it as half-hearted, given the follow-up critique of “cherry-picking.”
This episode underscores the high stakes of online discourse, especially post-tragedy. King’s history of anti-gun advocacy and clashes with conservatives framed his comments. For Kirk’s allies, the apology offered cold comfort; for King, a lesson in verification. In a divided America, where words can wound as deeply as bullets, it serves as a stark reminder: tweet at your peril.
